(C) KUDOS FOR REPORTING ON TRIBALISM AS A

S E C R E T STATE 041510 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2034 TAGS: PINR PGOV PREL SCUL SOCI KU SUBJECT: (C) KUDOS FOR REPORTING ON TRIBALISM AS A MOBILIZING FACTOR IN KUWAITI POLITICS (C-DI9-00764) REF: A. KUWAIT 000244 ¶B. KUWAIT 0053 Classified By: SUZANNE MCCORMICK, DIR., INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C). ¶1. (S/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS APPRECIATE EMBASSY KUWAIT'S RECENT REPORTING ON TRIBALISM AS A MOBILIZING FACTOR IN KUWAIT (KUWAIT 000244). THE DETAILED BACKGROUND ON THE STATUS OF TRIBES, THE EVOLUTION OF DYNAMICS BETWEEN THE ROYAL FAMILY AND TRIBALIST FIGURES, AND THE WAY TRIBALISM HAS PLAYED INTO ELECTION CAMPAIGNING AND OUTCOMES WAS OF GREAT INTEREST. ¶2. ANALYSTS ARE ALSO INTERESTED IN THE FOLLOWIG TOPICS AND WOULD WELCOME ANY FURTHER INSIGHTS POST CAN PROVIDE, AS TIME AND RESOURCES PERMIT. ¶A. BACKGROUND OF THE UPCOMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS AND THE WAY ISLAMIST POLITICS PLAY OUT IN THE TRIBAL CONTEXT, INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF THE TRIBAL CANDIDATES ON THE POLITICAL MAP AND THE RELEVANCY OF RELIGIOUS IDEOLOGY VS. CONSTITUENT INTERESTS. ¶B. EFFORTS BY THE ISLAMIC CONSTITUTIONAL MOVEMENT (ICM) TO FIELD TRIBAL CANDIDATES IN COMPARISON TO THEIR EFFORTS IN MAY ¶2008. ¶C. INFORMATION ON TRIBE BREAKDOWN, INCLUDING THE LEADING TRIBAL SHAYKHS IN KUWAIT AND THOSE MOST ADEPT AT PLACING CANDIDATES IN OFFICE AND GETTING THEIR DEMANDS MET BY THE GOVERNMENT. MANY THANKS, AND REGARDS FROM WASHINGTON. CLINTON